Manufacturing It & Automation Project Lead

Merck Merck · Pharma · North Brabant, Netherlands

This role leads manufacturing IT and automation projects, focusing on delivering IT and automation solutions for manufacturing sites. Responsibilities include driving standardization, managing project planning and execution, coordinating with internal and external teams, and providing technical expertise on systems like PLCs, SCADAs, historians, and MES. The role requires experience in pharma and GxP regulated environments.

What you'd actually do

  1. Drive standardization in project management methodologies and procedures across manufacturing IT/automation project teams based on global standards.
  2. Lead the manufacturing IT/automation project planning, scheduling and execution process with clear milestones, resource plan, deliverables, dependencies and critical path.
  3. Provide regular status updates and reports to stakeholders by communicating project progress, issues, and risks effectively to manage stakeholder expectations.
  4. Coordinate with internal teams (IT, Operations, Engineering, Quality) and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of manufacturing IT/automation systems.
  5. Provide technical expertise and guidance to project teams with manufacturing IT/automation systems, including PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree with relevant experience in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Science Engineering or equivalent experience.
  • At least 2 years experience in pharma is a must.
  • At least 5 years proven experience with manufacturing IT/automation systems, including PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications.
  • At least 5 years proven project management experience managing technical projects.
  • Understanding of GxP regulated environment and validation requirements.
  • Experienced in using project management tooling (e.g. MS Project)
  • Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written in English and preferable in Dutch.
  • Audit Management
  • Automated Manufacturing Systems
  • Automation Solutions
  • Business Process Improvements
  • Client-Centric
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Data Management
  • Digital Manufacturing
  • Information Technology Operations
  • IT Automation
  • Manufacturing Environments
  • Problem Management
  • Project Management
  • Project Management Software (PMS)
  • Quality Management
  • Real-Time Programming
  • Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
  • Stakeholder Management

Nice to have

  • Preferred certified in project management methodologies.

What the JD emphasized

  • At least 2 years experience in pharma is a must.
  • At least 5 years proven experience with manufacturing IT/automation systems, including PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications.
  • At least 5 years proven project management experience managing technical projects.
  • Understanding of GxP regulated environment and validation requirements.